For evil to triumph, all that is necessary is that good people do nothing.

We call, as a matter of the greatest urgency, for the broadest unity against the alarming rise in racism and fascism in Britain today.

The fascist British National Party averaged 17% of the vote in the seats they contested in the last local government elections, and now have a record 16 councillors across Britain.

They are poised to field candidates in the 2004 European parliament, local government elections, and the next general election, in what they hope will be the biggest electoral assault ever mounted by the far right in this country.

The BNP are now trying to present themselves as a "respectable" political party. In fact, they are a fascist party. Currently, they seek to attract votes on the basis of racism, Islamophobia, anti-semitism and the vilification of refugees and asylum seekers.

But fascists also stand for the expulsion of black and Asian people from this country, the destruction of the trade unions, and the elimination of basic democratic rights.

We believe that this dangerous situation requires a new and united response from all those dedicated to freedom and democracy.

Now is the time for all of us to combine our forces and unite in a broad and common front against this common threat.